If your riding has started to feel a little stale, or if you’re just looking to add some style to your tricks by grabbing your board longer and in different ways, then you’re the perfect candidate to start wrapping up — but where do you start?
The first and most obvious step is learning how to get wrapped in the first place. The goal is to get the main handle into your back hand before you grab the small handle. Danny Harf says: “I just pull in to advance myself toward the wrap handle, and then grab the main handle behind my back. The key is to grab the wrap handle quickly before the line tension catches back up and pulls on the main handle, which would try to unwrap you.”
Riding in this wrapped position might take some getting used to, since the line tension and body position will feel very different at first. Get wrapped in all directions and on all of your edges, and then take some time to just ride around to get comfortable.
Once you’re ready to start trying some wrapped tricks, Danny says: “I would start with a toeside backside 180 and a heelside frontside 360. Slow the boat down to around 16 to 18 mph and try a short, easy cut that will allow you to pop straight up into the middle of the wakes. Don’t just let go of the wrap handle! You want to give a solid tug to advance yourself in toward the boat. Don’t let go of the wrap handle until you’ve popped off the wake and pulled in to reduce the tension on the main handle.”
Now that you know how to wrap up correctly, get out there and give it a try!
